Highway Patrol operation focuses on teen drivers

Published: Friday, April 25, 2014 at 07:44 PM.

State troopers in the area are keeping special notice of teen drivers this week as the State Highway Patrol conducts “Operation Drive to Live.”

The project, slated to last through Friday, is meant to raise awareness among teen drivers during prom season and as people get out and about as the weather turns warmer.

“Prom season affords the Highway Patrol an opportunity to bring teen driver safety to the forefront,” said Bill Grey, commander of the State Highway Patrol, in a statement. “Through education and enforcement efforts, we can reduce the number of our teenagers killed and injured on North Carolina highways.”

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for teens statewide and nationally, and teens are three times more likely to be in a fatal wreck than all other age groups.

State troopers in the area are keeping special notice of teen drivers this week as the State Highway Patrol conducts “Operation Drive to Live.”

The project, slated to last through Friday, is meant to raise awareness among teen drivers during prom season and as people get out and about as the weather turns warmer.

“Prom season affords the Highway Patrol an opportunity to bring teen driver safety to the forefront,” said Bill Grey, commander of the State Highway Patrol, in a statement. “Through education and enforcement efforts, we can reduce the number of our teenagers killed and injured on North Carolina highways.”

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for teens statewide and nationally, and teens are three times more likely to be in a fatal wreck than all other age groups.

Although many local schools are on spring break, the Highway Patrol is conducting the operation statewide and paying special attention to areas around school zones, typically between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.